Friday of first week of Great Lent 2014

Timothy was a recluse in a place called Symbola on the Asiatic side of Mount

Olympus. In his youth, Timothy entered a monastery, was tonsured a monk and until old age spent his earthly time in fasting, prayer, vigils and ceaseless labor. He remained pure and chaste throughout his entire life. To the pure and chaste God gives authority over evil spirits and He gave this to Timothy. Though his labors for the salvation of his soul, St. Timothy succeeded to build in himself a beautiful home for the Holy Spirit. This holy man died in the year 795 A.D.

As long as a man only philosophizes about God he is weak and completely helpless against the evil spirit. The evil spirit ridicules the feeble sophistry of the world. But, as soon as a man begins to fast and to pray to God, the evil spirit becomes filled with indescribable fear. In no way can the evil spirit tolerate the aroma of prayer and fasting. The sweet-smelling aroma chokes him and weakens him to utter exhaustion. In a man who only philosophizes about faith, there is spacious room in him for the demons. But in a man who sincerely begins to pray to God and to fast with patience and hope, for the demon it becomes narrow and constricted and he must flee from such a man.

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About Me

For 15 beautiful years I lived in Canada ~ starting at age 21. I now live in New Jersey with my beloved husband. I am an Orthodox Christian, a librarian and do my Church's Bookstore and Sunday School. I love kids (and adults!) of all ages, reading, knitting, sewing, baking, cooking and making beauty where I am. I am also a proud Godmother and an Aunt to many.